The blessedness of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /The blessednesse of the righteous discoursed from Psal. 17, 15 /

Among Christians that enjoy the benefit of the Gospel-revelation, in which men may behold themselves, as one may his natural face in a glass, how highly should this self-knowledge be prized, and how fully attained? The Gospel discovers, at the same time, the ugly deformities of a mans soul, and the means of attaining a true spiritual comeliness; Yea it is it self the instrument of impressing the divine image, and glory upon mens Spirits; which when it is in any measure done they become most sociable, and conversable with themselves; and when 'tis but in doing, it so convincingly and with so piercing energy, lays open the very thoughts of mens hearts, so thoroughly rips up and dissects the soul,¹ so directly turns and strictly holds a mans eye, intent upon himself; so powerfully urges, and obliges the sinner to mind and study his own soul; that, where it hath affected any thing, been any way operative upon mens spirits, they are certainly supposed to be in a good ⟨p. 250⟩measure acquainted with themselves, whatever others are. Therefore the Apostle bids the Corinthians if they desire a proof of the power and truth of his ministry; to consult themselves, [examine your selves] and presently subjoins know ye not your own selves? ²intimating it was an unsupposeable thing they should be ignorant; What? Christians, and not know your selves? Can you have been under the Gospel so long, and be strangers to yourselves? none can think it. Sure 'tis a most reproachful thing; a thing full of ignominy, and scandal, that a man should name himself a Christian; and yet be under gross ignorance touching the temper, and bent of his own soul. It signifies that such a one understands little of the design and tendency of the very religion he pretends to be of; Yet he was a Christian by mere chance, that he took up, and continues his profession in a dream. Christianity aims at nothing; it gets a man nothing; if it do not procure him a better Spirit? 'tis an empty insignificant thing, it hath no design in it at all, if it do not design this. It pretends to nothing else. It doth not offer men secular advantages, emoluments, honours, it hath no such aim to make men in that sense, rich, or great, or honourable, but to make them holy, and fit them for God.